Liquid-feeding device



Dec. 11 1923.

w. SPARKS LIQUID FEEDING DEVICE Filed July 2, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec 11 1923.

W. SPARKS LIQUID FEEDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2,

Patented Dec. 11, 1923.

UNITED STATES WIILIAM SPARKS, OF JACKSON.

CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

MICHIGAN. ASSIGNOR, BY STEWARTWARNER SE'FEDOMETER CORPORATION, OF

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, A

LIQUID-FEEDING DEVICE.

Application filed July 2, 1921.

T0 alt whom, it may concern.

Be it known that l, \Vimmu Sin-nuts. of

Jackson. in the county of Jackson. in the. State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Liquid-Feeding l)evices. of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings is a full. clear. and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvo ments in liquid feeding devices for use purliculurlv in supplying liquid fuel to internal combustion engines of automobiles and the like in connection with. which it is very often desirable to have the primary fuel tank carried on the vehicle at a level below the curhuretor.

The main object of the invention is to provide a device of comparatively simple construction and high efficiency in automatic operation, with particular relation to the construction of the vacuum tank portion thereof. to which the liquid fuel is elevated, as by the suction of the engine, and intermittently discharged therefrom, to be fed by gravity to a vaporizing device, as for instance, to the float chamber of a commercial carburetor.

Another object relates to the construction and operation of the portions of the apparatus by means of which atmos heric pressure and vacuum are alternated 1n the upper chamber of the vacuum tank, and to the particular construction and method of operation of the valves controlling not only the atmospheric and suction connections, but also the discharge opening between the up per and lower chambers of the tank.

other objects and advantages relate to'the details of construction and operation of the apparatus, all as will more fully appear from the following description, taken in con necrion with the accompanying drawings, in which2- Figure- 1 is a top plan view of a device of my invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the valve and its casing showing a-section of the tank,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fi re 3, showing the valve in a different position.

Figure 5 is a side view of the fioatactuat d lever and its stem.

Serial No. 432,264v

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the lever of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view partially in section of the loose connection between the two parts of the float stem.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of one of the (logs illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 9 is a section on line 99, Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a horizontal 'section through the valve casing and the operating structure for the valve.

Figure 11 is a section on line -1111, Figure 1.

Figure 12 is :r section similar to the section shown in Figures 2 and 9 of a somewhat modified form of structure.

The apparatus, as shown in Figures 1 to 11 inclusive, comprises a tank structure, which may he of substantially cylindrical form, closed at its lower and upper ends, except for the connection hereinafter noted, and divided by a partition --l in two chambers -2- l'lLl 3 respectively, the chamber -3 adapted to be maint ined under atmospheric pressure at all tim s, so as to freely feed liquid by gravity through nippie 4 to a carburetor, or other vaporizing device. The chamber2- is alternately under atmospheric pressure, and vacuum, so that fuel is alternately drawn thereinto {and discharged therefrom into the cham- For the purpose of automatically effecting this operation, the upper chamber --2- is connected by nipple -5-- with any suitable source of liquid fuel sup 1y, such source being usually the ordinary ow level tank on an automobile, from which it is necessary to elevate the h' uid into the chamber 2-. In order to a termite vacuum and atmospheric pressure in the upper chamber 2-, a float -6 is provided, loosely mounted upon the float stem 7-, such stem rigidly carrying the valve which controls the discharge orifice -9 through the partition This float stem is, as indicated in Figure 7, formed in two parts. loosely connected together, and having a limited longitudinal relative movement. The upper portion 10 ofthe stem passes through a disk -11- which has an opening of a size to tightly surround the part --10, the upper I through leading lrom the pipe 17 end of'the stem bein connected to a hollow piston ----12- more le in the substantially cylindrical nipple -13 and spring-pressed upwardly by the spring l4-- intelposijr i between the interior of the piston head and the disk -1l, so that normally the spring; tends to elevate the piston -l2- and thereby raise the valve -8-- from its seat.

In order, however. at the required time to close valve -8-- and produce vacuum in the chamber -2 a valve casing --l5- is provided, which has a passage-Way --l6-- therewhich is in communication with any source of suc tion, asthe manifold of the engine, to the chamber -15 within the piston -12 and nipple --1-3-. A rotary valve -l9- coir trols the communication of the pi e -17- with the chamber --l8- said va ve being within the valve cnsin% -15-, as best in drated in Figure 11. he operation of the valve -l9- is controlled b means of a bypartibe lever ---20 which his its end journaled on. the valve -19-- and its opposite end pivotall connected to the flout -tT the float hem provided with a pair of spaced, upwar lv projecting burs --2lfor t is purpose. he operation of this construction is. that as the float moves up and down it carries with it the lever -20. the ends of the lever mounted on the valve -l9-- bein free to rotate with respect to the valve. or the purpose of causing ro tary movement of t o valve at pie-deter mined ositions of the flout, the spring -'-2Qr is provided having one of itscnds mounted in the slot formed in the end of the valve ---19- and having its interme diate portion wound about the end of the valve, with the opposite end of the spring connected to a pin extending outwardly from one section of the hi-partile lever 20-.

It will be seen with this constru tion. that as the lever -20-- moves up and down, the spring -22- tends to rotate the ruin l9- in the direction of movement oi the lever -20-. In order to prevent. gradual opening, and closing of valve and to effect a sudden snap over action of the same to its position where communication is made with the pipe --17-- and then suddenly to a position where such communication is cut 0 and communicetion with the atmosphe e effected, one of the sections of the b1-partite lever "20-, as best shown in Figure 5, is provided with a, cam member "-26- at the end journaled upon the valve 19- adapted upon rotation of the lever and fall of float -6-- to engage pins 27- upon the respective dogs or rate ets -28 that engage with the cam -29 that is rigidly mounted on an intermediate port-ion of the alve -19-.

The cam -29- is so formed that it has -20-'- by means of rise a pair of rntchets or projections --30- spaced apart, a distance suflicient to deter mine the two positions of the valve -l9--, the one position when the suction port is open nnd the other position when the atmosphcric port llas best shown in Figure is open.

The springact-uated dogs --28-- engage their respective projections or rutchets to prevent rotation of the valve when the lever "Sa l-- is moved either up or dovvmvardl by corresponding movement of the float until sullicicnt rotation of the lever --2 has been had so that the can] '.Z 3- moves the respective dog from engagement with its ratchet to permit rotation of the valve by means of spring -22----. \Vhcn the cam has moved the dog from engagement with the ratchet, the spring -'-22- suddenly snaps the valve to a reverse position either opening the atmosphere port and closing the suction port, or opening the suction port and closing the atmosphereport dependent upon the direction of movement of lever -2.-0. The upper end ----10-- of the float is provided with a recess -32-- in one side adopted when the piston -12 --is moved downwardly by sucllUn produced in chamber -18- to form a communicating passage through disk -11 permitting the suction or vacuum to he transferred to chamber 2--. Downward move-- ment of piston -12 permits closing of the valve -8 by gravity, and further downward movement of the piston ispermitted, due to the loose connection between the lower portion of the flout stem and the part illuntil such last. motion is taken up, when the piston ---l9' holds the valve --8- rigidly in closed position. At that time the recess or channel --32- elt'ords communication between the chamber -lS--- and the chamber --2- so that the vacuum passes into the chamber --2 to elevate liquid in the said chamber through the nipple ---5-. This condition of vacuum is maintained until such time as the float is moved upwardly to u position where the cam -26- moves the required pawl -2T- from engagement with. its respective ratchet- -30-- and spring --2*2- then snaps the valve to reverse position closing the suction connection and opening the air vent -31-. i

The production of atmospheric pressure in the chamber -2-- permits the spring ---l4- to raise piston -12-, opening valve -'8-. and the iquid flows by gravity from chamber )J-- to chamber -3 This operation is repeated in accordance with the requirements of the carburetor or other device being fed.

As best illustrated in Figure 1L the valve casing --15-- has two channels extending therethrough. viz: the atmospheric vent. 5l--- and the suction channel 16-- and the valve has. in like manner. two conduits G ll thereihrougi: which are adapted to be hrou' ht into ro 'lstration and moved out of b p a r 4 roglstratlon with respectivv conduits .l1.--

and. iG- to effect the communication' above described It will be obvious. that. other snap-over mechanisms may lie proriilwl which will he capable of effecting this sudden mowmr-nt of the valve -lU at the time rennin-(L and it, mag. ho tlizs :1. g; inol mowuwnt of those vaiiirs is siiili ie'rnily viiwtive for the pmwosl? iianil. althmug'h the strucinrelo- J-ITll l i i'orahhk In i igjnrr 12 n slightly (hill-rm; vonqtrur- [ion is shown. in that, the pision -2S3-- corrvspomiing to tho piston --i; arrangwl wilhin the upper islmmlwr "2 and within tho Volvo nosing: ill- "\VlllFll ron tains a ioiary valve --3."|--- of the some (onslrnrtioi: no tho who -11). wlluptr l to he rniml by n iioiit Zilinnel lovvr -fiT-- iucsponrling 5o ilk loner --2tl. The snap-ow! zncrlmniwn is of tho some c n sirociion ii; that i L'lillil in the other lignrraz. in liliz mist-lotion shown in Figure l2, iliu i'iti in nzonniml loosny upon ii stain -----T8--- with an intorposui spring adapted to mlond the val e and s-tvm to their limit. of relative moveini-nt. The upper end of this slnm (-(mnentml to llltf piston -I;l-'izuul mt'mln :hrougl: link ---4l--- illlil is normally hill in ils ppm? limited movement in, syri -42--- inlrrii-oaeil hoiwoon Lilo (lib'li and the piston in l ke lllfllll'l'il'. Hf horetol'or: clears-Shell. Tho Ellilloll applied through "the condu t as illsmirnimt in Figure 12 moves limo piston ilin'rnw liy anii (flow-4 vain ---3S--, the lost motion (FOIHRXti HI imlw-svn atom and the valve pennitiing some romormnent and a rontinuvd movmnvnt. I piiiton alto: 1hr valve has (lost-(l. in; Burial-i3 fillil oi the piston -2l should i1: somowhni her than tho 5\il- "haw IIILIJ of the 'Slliill Ali-' in like inunnt-i: .LS the sinri'nm are of tho EJlDlUli -i2- should ho SUZRQWlML, g eater than that of i in o-rdvr thzit the vacuum will at all Limos. mainiain the vnivo posi lively '1 rlo ml posiiioi'i. Tho Stillil Milton" herio rout: 5.3 provitloil in vonnm-lion with ignro 11% as that illnslra'u-ll in Figure 11, and tho Villfl --35--- is of ihv similform and cmisiruvlion as ilu \nlw W or op lraiion in lllltlillllll with tho om lion and air conduits as uhoro (lfiib fl'llmlli The valve .stom --;i5 in in likv numm'l'. as, \llilt! stom -7- irm'iilml th a rum-5s ----fl which forms :1 mums of communication between the piston chamber ---44 uml chamhnr -45 of tho tank lo elloct specific constructions; as illustrative of details of construction, form or arrungvment of the apparatus. as various changes and modifications may he made in tho mine without departing from tho npprmlml claims.

I rlaim:

1. In a device of the class :lvscrihed, an upper chamber and a loner vimmlnm and moans of rrmnmunirntion hotwvon tho sziirl chambers, a valve controlling said conmmni ration, and SllCtlUIl-klCllliltQtl means having a 1005s connection with said valve for holding the same to its seat.

2. In a device of the class ilPSCIlllLfl, on upper chamber and a lower ohanihoiz {Illll means of communication botwcon saiii chamhers, a valve controlling said mnunnnicoiioin a valve stem comm-ted to sni l valve. anal suction-amiualeii insulin for moving said valve stem to (lose the rnlrit.

I In a :lm'ire of tho l'lzlfil Il S 'l' HWl. nu upper vhainher and a lover olmmhrr, means of uomrnnnivfiion iowicon said chumhrrs, :1 valve controlling will i-ommunirntion, o valve stem connected to said valve, suctionactunted means for moving said valve stem to closv tho \tllVt, 11ml spring meow for rm'orsvly avtnziling :llulll who stem to open the valve.

i. in a devil-e of the class iii srriiwih a chandler in: the rel-op ion of liqniil. a pis ton clliimln'l', a piston niovnliie in said chombmgmoans for proilu ring varunm in said yin tun rhumlwr. moans actuatwl hy tluproum tion 0? varinun therein for i-flvrting com munivation between the pinion (-lmmlu-r Hill the liquiilroceiving irliuinlwr. and spring means for moving said piston in onv limotion.

5. To a (ievice of he vlass dc-sl-rihuil, ii (llZUIIlJCI for the reception of liquid, a piston i'lnunhor. a pinton mm'uhhin hilltl vlnunlm. months for pml'luving viii-mun in fifiltl lfltlll chamber, URHIIS artunt'orl in; tho proihw tion of vacuum thrrvin for oiir-ning' :1 romnmnicznion bvlnnon ilupinion vhumhvr and tho liqniclwort-lying chamber, sw ng; mean for moving Sllltl piston in om illrevtioni :i \nlvo oontroliing i-mmnuniontlon of he rnoummprmluuing means with skill pision rhznnhel zmtl iloat m'inntril unions for mutt-oiling said \aivv.

6. In a device of tho class described. an upper chamhor and a lower nhnmher. a float in the upper ohamln'r, a float stem, a valve mounted on tho float stem and controlling the oon'nnunication between said chmnbers, a piston connected to said stem and suction means for actuating said piston to close said valve. 5

7. In a, device of the class described, a liquid-receiving chamber, an auxiliary cha nhit":

controliing said communication, a valve stem 'HHiHfiEd to the valve, zi piston com nccted to tho Yal've stein, suction means for actuating the piston to close said valve,

moans for bringing said suction means into con'miunication with the liquidieceiving i'lnnniicr when said valve is closed, and floatactuntcd moans controlling the suction inc-ans and for bringing the said liquid receiving chamber into communication with the atrnospi ere.

3, Iii a dtViCt! of the class described, an

upper chamber and lower RiZHIIEi)QX,TH-HI1S of communication min -sen said chambers, a valve controlling said means of communication, and a piston having a loose connection with said valve for :wtuating the some 10. In a dovii-c. of in} ciziss described, an 11 per chamber and a lower chamber, means 0? communication in son said chambers, 11 valve ooziti'oiiiin; 'd onnnnnicstion, a piston chamber, a piston in said chamber, a stem connccting said piston with said valve, a suction connection to said piston chamber, and means for bringing said piston chanil'isr into communication with said upper chamber wlicn vacuum has been pr'oduccd in the piston chamber.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand th s 24th day of June i921,

WE Ji 31M SPARKS.

Witnesses Liming: E. Wonnmonon,

i W 7 (Un ons M. bruins. 

